Job Choices 2012 - Business - (Page 37)
yourself to the receptionist and give the name of the person with whom you are interviewing. When the interviewer comes out to greet you, offer a ﬁrm handshake. After you are escorted to the interview room, stand until offered a seat. In addition to your attire and greeting, the interviewer will be assessing you on the following behaviors: • Did you make appropriate eye contact? • Did you remember and correctly pronounce her/his name? • Did you hold your materials in your left hand so you could easily shake with your right? • Did you talk easily or were you overly formal and reserved? • Did you seem enthusiastic? Studies have demonstrated that successful candidates are those who ﬁnd a balance between listening and speaking. Those who talk too much or too little do not get hired. (Why? According to Richard Bolles, author of What Color Is Your Parachute?, if you talk too much about yourself, you come across as someone who would ignore the needs of the organization. If you talk too little, you may seem like you are trying to hide something about your background. It is important to ﬁnd a balance.) An effective technique to keep the interview conversational is to use the “reversal.” This is when you attach a related question on the end of one of your answers. For example, if you are asked, “What is the greatest contribution you can see yourself making in this position?,” give your answer then ask, “How does this correlate with what you are looking for in a candidate?”
Interviewing Types and Tips
Employers use a variety of interview techniques and settings to determine your hireability. Be aware of which type of interview you’ll be having and how to respond accordingly. Following are common interview types and suggestions on how to be successful in each situation.
Screening Interview
Screening interviews may be conducted in person, over the phone, or via video to help employers determine if you meet the minimum qualiﬁcations for a job. These interviews are usually handled by a representative from the HR department and tend to follow a set format and logical procedure.
TIP: Emphasize succinctly and directly that you possess the desired skills/abilities for the
position. For phone interviews, keep your portfolio close at hand for easy access and reference. For video interviews, rehearse in advance with a career counselor to come across naturally.
One-on-One Interview
This is the most common interview format and is usually conducted on site by the hiring supervisor. The interviewer focuses on questions to assess your skills, knowledge, and abilities as they relate to the job.
TIP: In addition to selling your key strengths, ask what problems the supervisor currently
is facing and then suggest strategies that he or she could implement to resolve the issues.
Panel Interview
This group interview is usually conducted by three or more people who generally ask you questions that correspond to their areas of interest/expertise.
TIP: Remember to direct your answers to the person who asks the question, but maintain
eye contact with the other members of the group as well. Following the interview, be sure to send a thank-you note to each of the participants.
Peer Group Interview
This type of group interview will introduce you to your potential co-workers. They will probably not have the ultimate authority as to whether or not to hire you. Rather, they will be evaluating you and making recommendations as to whether or not you will “ﬁt in.”
Evaluate
Remember, the intent of the interview for both you and the employer is to determine if you are a good ﬁt for the organization. Following the interview, write down your assessment of the process. Include the basics, such as the name and title of the person with whom you interviewed, what the job entailed, ways you could improve your performance, and the next step in the process. Additionally, take the opportunity to reﬂect on your reactions to the experience. Try to determine if the job is right for you. Did the job description match your interests and abilities? Did the employees seem enthusiastic about their work? Did you like the management style? Did this seem like a good place to work? Did the organization’s culture and values match yours? The keys to a successful interview are knowledge and conﬁdence, which come from preparation and practice. Know the organization, the industry and, of course, yourself. This will help you and the employer determine if you are the right person for the job and if the job is right for you.
TIP: Focus on being agreeable and approachable rather than someone with all the answers.
Luncheon Interview
The purpose of the lunch interview is to assess how well you can handle yourself in social situations. You will probably be dining with your potential boss and co-workers, as well as HR professionals.
TIP: Make your meal selection carefully. Select light, healthy, and easy things to eat. Steer
clear of spaghetti and other potentially messy foods that are not easy to eat gracefully. Do not order alcohol even if others do.
Second Interview
Second interviews are similar to ﬁrst interviews except they are usually longer, involve more people, and are often held at company headquarters. You may have a combination of individual, panel, and peer group interviews throughout the process. The focus of the second interview is to ensure you have the necessary skills and that you will blend well with the organization’s culture.
TIP: Switch your focus from emphasizing your speciﬁc strengths to selling yourself as a
well-balanced package. Listen carefully to the interviewers to determine any underlying concerns and attempt to dispel them. Prove that you’ve researched the company, and emphasize that you will work as a dedicated member of the organization. www.jobchoicesonline.com/37
National Association of Colleges and Employers
http://www.jobchoicesonline.comTable of Contents for the Digital Edition of Job Choices 2012 - BusinessJob Choices 2012 - BusinessContentsOpportunities by Employers/Website IndexPlaying Fair: Your Rights and Responsibilities As a Job SeekerStarting a Successful Job SearchStrategies for Succeeding in a Competitive Job MarketThe Networking ChallengeMaking Career Fairs Work for You10 Tips for Using Social Media in Your Job SearchUSAJOBS Work for AmericaFrom Student to ProfessionalThe Art of Writing Job-Search LettersWrite the Right Resume for the Job You’re SeekingA New Tool: QR CodesYour Online Presence and Your Job SearchThe Online ApplicationSecrets to Interview SuccessBehavior-Based InterviewingInterview Q&AReady for a Webcam Interview?Interviewing Tips and TypesInterview DressHow Good Are Your Interviewing Skills?The Critical First Year on the JobWorkplace e-EtiquetteApplying Your Two-Year Degree to a Four-Year ProgramGoing on to Grad SchoolEmployer InformationJob Choices 2012 - Businesshttp://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nace/JobChoices2012_businesshttp://www.nxtbookMEDIA.com